True Istina

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign. Welcome back, everyone, to the Tron podcast. This is your host, Rashad Woods. Today I have a very multi talented guest on here. I got a chance to listen to some of her music. I hope you do too, after you get a chance to watch this episode. True Estina. Thank you so much. [00:00:34] Speaker B: Yes, thank you for having me. I'm so excited. [00:00:36] Speaker A: First of all, you know, you have such a compelling background. I got a chance to listen to some of your songs and we're going to dive right into that. But first, you started getting to music at a very young age at 2, from your mother. Can you give some background and insight into that, please? [00:00:47] Speaker B: Yeah, for sure. My mom was a music therapist, so she was always around music. We were always growing around music. Me and my family, me and my brother, we both sang. We just always were that kind of family. Like we love to, you know, Christmas carol and we love to just be together and just we were the ones to sing in the car and have karaoke nights and all that. We were just that kind of family. And I always loved it because we grew up on so many different kinds of music and it really shaped me as an artist. [00:01:11] Speaker A: That's fantastic. Now you're independent. So can you give us a daily rundown of what life as an independent artist is? Because, you know, I think that the Internet has democratized music a little bit, where people who are talented can really actually get out to a listening base and get what exactly their talents are and be heard. So what's life like as an independent artist, please? [00:01:30] Speaker B: Oh, okay. I do the series, even on TikTok I've done before was like a day in an independence artist life. And really it's everything. It's everything from I think of like, you know, where like my branding is to like my music videos to my music, to literally everything across the board. It's basically I'm a label myself. But I absolutely love it because I'm really able to share my messages and, you know, really get them across without, you know, having anything that contradicted or anything. Because it's real, like it's completely me. And from a daily basis, I mean, to think of it that way, of course I work on music. I go through song lists for my music or anything I'm doing for new albums, new projects. I go through each song. There's a thing I used to do is that for my first album, I listened to every single song and made sure the order worked. I was that particular. Oh yeah, I was that kind of artist. [00:02:21] Speaker A: So how does the how does the songwriting process go? Is it just you? Do you have a team? Like, how does the song actually get structured and made for somebody who has no musical background? [00:02:30] Speaker B: It's just me. I start all of my songs a little bit differently. Some are just, like, a really late night, like, voice memo, and it's just, like, something that just comes out, and I'm like, this is just. It flows and then some. I have, like, you know, music that really inspires me, and I'm like, I'm gonna build something like that, and then I bring the feeling to it, and that's something I build too. And then I usually. I take it to my producer, and then we finalize it, and we build, like, the rest of the details in the studio and, like, voice record it. And if anything, like, we may change a couple things and make it a little bit more, like, clear the message. But, yeah, from start to finish, I mean, I'm pretty much involved with all of it. [00:03:04] Speaker A: That's awesome. So, you know what was really cool was I saw you performed at several big events. The 2018 Chinese Fair, 2019 House of Blues. Then it was the Hard rock showcase of 2021. What was it like for all three of those events? [00:03:15] Speaker B: They were so fun. I mean, House of Blues is iconic, and it was crazy to perform there. I, like. I look back at photos, I'm like, wow, that's me on stage. What? No. What if. Seeing the names on the walls, I'm like, oh, my God, I was there in those dressing rooms, right? Crazy. [00:03:36] Speaker A: So, like, who were your musical inspirations growing up? Like, you, obviously, you're described as acoustic pop, right? And so. But I'll be honest with you, like, you were so varied. It reminded me a lot of the artists. Like, I heard a lot of Meghan Trainor, like, in Europe, but I also heard, you know, a little bit of Adele kind of as well, too. So I got a chance to listen to some of your album. Like, who were your inspirations when you were listening growing up? [00:03:59] Speaker B: Yeah, well, like I said, I grew up very, like, you know, with a lot of different genres. Like, my family was always that kind. My dad loved rock. My mom loved, like, 80s 70s love songs. So we were very spread across the board. And then I loved Carrie Underwood, so I'm like, we just got the whole thing. I was one of those kind of kids, and I loved it. I love different kinds of music, and I think it really did shape me. And even now, I'm like, I think more about, like, less about genre and more about the instruments I'm using and the feeling it's creating. Like, I will add a cello, and then I'll add, like, a saxophone, because why not? Like, for sure, for sure. If it matches the feeling, I will. [00:04:32] Speaker A: Do it, you know, and the thing is, listen, I got an older daughter who plays a violin, and I got to tell you, when you actually see, you know, your family artistic, even in ways that you weren't, and you realize the passion that comes out. Because I was listening to one of your interviews, and ironically, you're shy, which shocked me a little bit because I said so. Your music is your way of saying the things authentically that maybe you as a person don't. So how is that such a contradiction? Because on paper, it seems like people who make music are artistic by default are, you know, very not shy type of personalities. That kind of surprised me. [00:05:06] Speaker B: Well, I think like a celebrity, what you think of is, like, the one who's, like, super or, you know, bright, very much there. Like, the one who's very, like, forward. Because, you know, you have to ask them a lot of interviews. You get a lot of questions. You know, people are crazy sometimes, but the artist behind them, whether it's them or they have, like, a songwriter behind them or anything like that, we are usually more internal, because that's where it's coming from. Like, this was really started as my outlet. This is what I started doing just to help myself. And it wasn't for anybody else. It wasn't for the public. It wasn't really wasn't. It was just for me. So when I started writing, like, that's all I had in mind. It was really just. I was trying to understand myself, which is why I think, like, even today, I'm like, I'm still. I'm working on it because, you know, you got to promote yourself, especially as an independent artist. [00:05:51] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:05:52] Speaker B: But, you know, my music is really like, what I wish I could be honest and say, but I'm still working to it. [00:05:57] Speaker A: Well, I think you've done an incredible job at it. So you said you never really intended to, you know, release music to begin with. So what got you over that hurdle and what. What finally said, you know, what I need to put the. [00:06:08] Speaker B: Yes. Well, I was always the singer, the dancer, the actor. That was always my thing. I loved the art since I was younger. I used to do plays. I used to. I was in dance competition team for a while. I just. I loved the arts always. [00:06:18] Speaker A: It's awesome. [00:06:19] Speaker B: But I was a singer, and that was the difference is, like, I never thought I would release my own music because it was so raw. I mean, it was vulnerable, and that was so scary, especially as I released my. I recorded my first song for this album at 15. My song for fun, my first single. I was 15. [00:06:38] Speaker A: That's amazing. [00:06:38] Speaker B: And it was. Yeah, it was during COVID and it was really like, I was just kind of struggling because it was really hard. I had, you know, of course school's out and stuff. It was. It was a tough time. Like, my friend group, it kind of just imploded, and it was just. It was really bad. And I was just like. I felt very alone. And I'm like, I don't know what's going on. I just feel. I don't feel okay. And that's all I knew. I didn't know why or what was happening or what was causing it. I just knew I didn't feel okay. And so I started writing, and it was really just something that just kind of happens. And then for Fun came, and then Walking the Line, and then New Life. [00:07:15] Speaker A: And then it just came out after the other. Right? [00:07:18] Speaker B: Yep. Literally, it was supposed to just be one single, and I started recording, but we fell in love with all the other songs. We're like. We just kept going, honestly. [00:07:26] Speaker A: Good, good, good album. [00:07:27] Speaker B: Okay. [00:07:28] Speaker A: Right. Fantastic. And, you know, the thing is about it, I think a lot of people kind of found themselves during that time period. Right. Because, you know, I mean, I wasn't 15 going, you know, at that age bracket. But I think it affected everybody in different ways, and it made them look internally, whether it's how life operated, their priorities in life, or an outlet for creativity was born, good or bad, you know, from people. And so I'm glad you saw the good side of, you know, how things came to be for you. Because, you know, when I got a chance to listen to your music, a lot of it had to do with vulnerability coming out of your show. I do have to ask a question. What does RMD stand for? When I was listening to that track, I loved that song, but I didn't know what it meant. [00:08:04] Speaker B: My Dreams. [00:08:05] Speaker A: Okay, okay, okay. Dope, dope, dope. Because I was like, rmd. Like, I'm like. I didn't. I was waiting for it to come into the song, and I'm not saying that. [00:08:13] Speaker B: Reach My dreams. [00:08:14] Speaker A: Okay, I'm so sorry. Maybe I was listening to it in my car, and I'm just like, maybe I was so caught up in everything else I was listening to, I was like, this is a really, really good Song, you know? Yeah, it was beautiful. How did your videos. Like, how did you get such exquisitely, beautifully shot videos? Like, there was one where you're by the ocean, you know, and the background that you run that. That stage. How does your video make a process? [00:08:36] Speaker B: Yes. Well, me and my creative director, Keyshawn Blackstone, we've worked together since my very first music video. And the first one was really. It was literally just a bunch of stages. Like, we did not have any plan going to it. Like, we literally reached out to were like, hey, you want to film a music video? He's like, sure. I remember you singing. You were incredible. I said, I would do your first music video. Let's do it. So that's literally what happened at 15 years old. I'm like, oh, my God. Even the fact now that people took a chance on me is crazy. But every single music video has been so much fun. We've built it from the ground up. Even the word is we have a short film coming out soon that tells the story of the music video as well as fantasy was filmed in Croatia, and we have actually the music video for my song New Life, coming out today. [00:09:22] Speaker A: Nice. Well, congratulations. Listen, I want all the success for you, and I love the fact that you just churn out music. Does it just become. How do I phrase this properly? This become, quote, unquote, easy after you start releasing song after song, Even though I know songwriting is much more complicated than I make it out to be. But is it just like, creative juices just keep flowing out one song after the other? Topics? Where do these topics come from? [00:09:44] Speaker B: There's a lot of times I will write three songs, like, in a day. And then there's some times where I'm like, I will try to write, and I'm like, no, not today. I'm like, I'm not feeling it. It's like, I'm not feeling the emotions. I'm trying to get across. Like, you know, it feels like you're pushing. And I'm like, nope, that's not the one. That's okay. I'm gonna take a break and do something else. Like, that's something I've had to learn. Very critical of myself. I'll be honest. I think most artists are. But it's hard because it is art, and it's all subjective and everybody's opinions. So I try to just think about it. Like, no, you're okay. You can take a break. And then, you know, those songs, the ones that like are. The ones are. Usually they come out of nowhere. Like, I'll play when they're like, oh, my God, that's the one. And we're like, okay, sure. I'm like, I wrote that on a random Tuesday at 5 in the morning. So, okay, cool. [00:10:30] Speaker A: But as long as it came out and you knew what time it was, you can feel it, right? Like, and you're not, you're not. And so, you know, I remember A quote from Dr. Dre. He was like, he could. She's like, he was shy and he was reserved. And I'm like, dude, you made some of the best music of all time. And in my head he's like, it's ironic that he's actually reserved. Your Istina is a reference to your Croatian culture. How important was that to you? To honor your Croatian culture? [00:10:52] Speaker B: So important. When I first started this, I wanted. First of all, there's two reasons why I chose the name. I wanted something that wasn't my actual name because this was such a different side of myself, myself that I don't usually show. So I was trying to, like, make this its own thing so I could be confident enough to share it. Because I'm like, if I went by my real name, I think I'd be too scared still. So it was almost like it's a morale boost for me, right? [00:11:14] Speaker A: For sure, yeah. [00:11:16] Speaker B: The second reason is because my Baba and Nono, my grandparents, are the ones who started my whole music journey from everything from my first singles to come to California with us for the first time. And they've always supported my music since the very beginning. And I love them so much. And just being on the island, I feel so creative and so myself and so free. It's like you barely have service. It's a five by five mile island with no cars. So really, you are as kept and connected as nature as you can be. Honestly, that's. [00:11:45] Speaker A: That's wonderful. That's beautiful. Yeah. How did you. What was it like being like a quote, for lack of a better term, a teenage prodigy to be able to put music out at 15? I mean, you know, a lot of. I can't imagine even attempting to do something that risk taking at my age. When I was 15 years old, I mean, I played basketball and you'd be scared to take a jump shot because you scare somebody. You might miss it. So what made you get over that hump at 15 as a freshman, sophomore, junior in high school? Like, I'm going to do this and I don't care. [00:12:13] Speaker B: Honestly, I was very scared. It took me a very long time to finally Say, okay, I'm getting the green light to my songs. Because I'm like, we could do better. It could be better. Everything could be better. Like, let's do it again, you know, one more time, more times. I was like, person. I was very scared. But when I finally like, okay, you know what, what am I doing holding on to this? Like, this music helped me so much that I want to help other people. I'm like, this is my chance. I'm like, why don't I help people? And the longer I hold on to it, I don't know what that's going to impact. So really, when I released it, I got comments with people saying like, you know, this just gave me one more day of hope. [00:12:49] Speaker A: I'm like, right. [00:12:51] Speaker B: Oh, my God. The fact that my music could do that, I'm like, that is literally the goal. And it was incredible. It was like that moment. I'm like, okay, I'll do it. I guess I'm scared still, but I'll do it. I'm like, I gotta. [00:13:03] Speaker A: But sometimes it's a reflection of how somebody else is feeling. And you talked about your background, you know, whether it was, you know, unfortunate instances of bullying and other experiences that you went through. And I could feel that coming through in some of your music. How did that, how did. Was that your way of dealing with those situations, to make music with what you went through? [00:13:21] Speaker B: Yes, absolutely. I think. Well, I'd been in counseling since I was younger and stuff. Like, you know, just. Just normal stuff. My parents got divorced when I was younger in high school, so it was. It was complicated for sure. And so I was. I was in it since I was younger, especially with the bullying and stuff. But at a point it felt like I was just kind of saying the same thing every week. And I'm like, I'm not really getting to the root cause of it. I'm like, it's like, it's helping me, it's coping with it, but I think I'm also kind of pushing it down. So during COVID I'm like, I was literally forced to look at myself and be like, okay, what are you doing? Are you gonna do something about this? Are you just gonna sit on your butt and hope it goes away? Like, honestly. So that was the moment. Honestly. [00:14:03] Speaker A: That's crazy. You picked that up at a 15 year old age. Because some people spend an entire lifetime and don't ever get to that point. So I can't say enough nice things about that that you found that out early, that, hey, this is what I need to do to get this off my chest, so to speak. [00:14:15] Speaker B: Yes, I'm really grateful, honestly. And that's why I want a non profit when I'm older, because I want to help kids find their artistic freedoms and like, you know, what they need is an outlet to help them get through stuff or find maybe their dream that they don't even know yet. [00:14:29] Speaker A: Right. Well, I'll say this too. I think that because you're on the Internet and there's other streaming platforms, people listen to music, people can quickly connect to people with what they went through. You know, previous generations really had to didn't have that outlet because either there wasn't somebody that, I mean, they could buy a record, they can listen to a radio, but they had to wait for certain things where here you are giving people in real time what they want. And you're accessible on social media as well too, you know, so that that lonely young adult, that lonely teenager has the opportunity to hear your music and be uplifted. Because music, contrary to popular opinion, is not just something you just dance to have a good time. When you listen and absorb the words, you're like, I can relate to that. That's how I'm feeling this exact moment, you know? [00:15:11] Speaker B: Yes. [00:15:12] Speaker A: Beautiful. [00:15:13] Speaker B: That's why songwriting is so different for me from being just a singer is that like these are my real messages and I connect with the lyrics and that's why I'm connecting to people, because I know how to share them. I'm not just the singer anymore. [00:15:24] Speaker A: Right, right. Do you play instruments too? [00:15:26] Speaker B: Yes, I play guitar and piano and I have a cello, which I would love to learn because it's my favorite instrument. [00:15:32] Speaker A: Yeah. Nice, nice. So a little off question. What do you do when you're not making music? Because I know that you had the end of day, you may need a break. Maybe songwriting isn't that particular day, that day. Right. And you're like, hey, I need to decompartmentalize. What do you do outside of making music? [00:15:50] Speaker B: Well, I love going hiking. Always have. [00:15:52] Speaker A: Beautiful. [00:15:52] Speaker B: I think that connects back to my Croatian heritage and everything. But I've always loved, I love being in nature and I love painting, I love like sketching, I love painting landscapes. That's my favorite, honestly. [00:16:05] Speaker A: Nice. [00:16:05] Speaker B: I think that also ties back to nature. [00:16:08] Speaker A: Right. [00:16:08] Speaker B: But yeah, I love that stuff. And even when I'm not, you know, necessarily like songwriting, I like will choreograph one of my songs or like, you know, work on, you know, the music video or the concept or anything like that. Like, I'll go from different parts of the creative so I don't get, like, almost sick of it. Because for me, it's so strange that the weirdest thing about releasing the word is recently is that I released it and I'm like, okay, finally it's out. Yay. I had had that song for like a year, and people were like, this is brand new. I'm like, no, it's not. I'm like, I've had this forever. [00:16:40] Speaker A: It's funny because it's the same thing with, like, a movie. Like a movie just, you know, it's like, it's, it's just because it may have came out next week. It's been in, in production stages for the last 16 to 18 months. Right. So a lot of things can change. But it's new to the recipient of the actual, you know, movie film music. And you're like, dude, like, I'm an album. I'm on my next album already. [00:17:01] Speaker B: Yes. I'm bored of that song. And they're like, wow, I'm so new. I'm like, no, it's not. Wait, yes, it is. Yes, it is. That's right. [00:17:10] Speaker A: That's. That's awesome. So you have 200,000 streams. 100. And it look so like, how did you do this as an independent artist? I mean, that is an incredible hustle, honestly. [00:17:21] Speaker B: I think I was just reaching the right people and that people were seeing the message and the vision and my music and my music videos and everything, because we really, we just built this off of what my, my message was and my mission, honestly. And from there, we just kind of, we kept it going. And it's crazy to think about that because I'm like, I'm still an independent artist. Like, what? Yeah, but it's like, I'm so grateful, honestly, that even have the people listening to me now or have come back to listen to my new stuff because it's evolved with me as well. So I'm very excited for the new stuff. Stuff. [00:17:52] Speaker A: So do you plan on staying in that quote, unquote, same musical lane? And again, I don't know how to word this as I'm not a musician, but I, I, I listen to a lot of music. Right. Is there something that you want to dive into that you're like, I'm going to take like a, a different musical direction or do you just let it go organic? [00:18:08] Speaker B: I think I'm definitely mixed. Like, I, I think pop has influenced my style a lot, which is why I of course, conclude it. But I'm not just pop. It's not just that simple kind of feeling or that beat or anything like that. I definitely mix more alternative pieces to it or, like, moments and stuff. And I think Walking the Line, which was the last single I released, is kind of a lead in to kind of my new style. Because that song was the first song that I co produced. [00:18:34] Speaker A: Nice. [00:18:35] Speaker B: That was kind of like the moment where I'm like, I'm finding my sound as well as, you know, how I write, for sure. [00:18:42] Speaker A: So, like, I'm a huge grunge fan, right? So I know you have different musical influences. And your songs are obviously about uplifting. And whenever you're like. One of my favorite singers of all time is Lane, the late Lane Staley of Alice in Chains. And he really. I'm not sure how familiar you are with them, but he really got down the depth of, like, you could feel his heart into things when he sang because he had a lot of pain that he was dealing with. And I. You're the opposite of that as far as, you know, experience. He unfortunately had some personal issues that led to his demise. But I felt it coming out of you. And not just a song. An artist was singing off of a sheet of paper. And you can tell when you hear it, too. So when you're talking about your therapy, you're talking about, you know, personal situations that you persevere through. I can hear it. And I saw it when I was watching your videos as well, too. So can you just walk through that process? That's some pretty private stuff to put out there. So how did you feel? Get over that hump? [00:19:38] Speaker B: Yes. Well, I think definitely those songs, that kind of show that Is the Word Is and Wasting My Time, those are the two songs that are, like, the most. That kind of feeling to them. Including Fantasy, too, as well. But Wasting My Time was the second music video I'd ever done. And I'm like. I wanted that song to showcase the emotions. I'm like. And I had to. I'm like, this has to feel like that back and forth, that push and pull where, like, you're just kind of stuck in this, like, box. And you're like. You literally have the key in your hand, but you're like, what leads to outside? It's like, I don't. I'm scared. It's like, it really is that moment. And it's like, this is safe. Even though it's, you know, painful. You're lit in a box, but it's safe. And that was the thing with that song. Was like, I really wanted to showcase that. And then the word is, which is, of course, my newest one is like, it's really. It's finding that moment when a relationship's just not what it was, and it changes. And that's what I really wanted to showcase because I'm like, not every relationship starts toxic. You can't tell the red flags immediately. It's. People change and grow and. And if they don't match each other anymore or they're not both growing because you have to both grow together and be partners, it doesn't work anymore, for sure. [00:20:46] Speaker A: And, you know, the thing is about it is I love the way you talk about evolution and how you're supposed to be, you know, for lack of a better term, you're not supposed to think at 10 and 15 and 20, because you have a very narrow viewpoint of the world. And when I was listening to Wasting My Time, I couldn't help but think, man, is this about a particular person or is this a general feeling of, you know, of human growth? And I don't want to get too personal, but was it. How did that particular one song in particular come out? [00:21:09] Speaker B: That song in particular, I'll be honest, that was about a couple people that were in my life at the time. And it was really just. I mean, even the line, fire and rain, they come again, but the pain doesn't go away. Like that line. I still love that line of today. But it was. It's real, it's honest. It's like the storms will pass and stuff like that, but it'll come back. And, you know, you still feel that pain, whether they apologize a million times, whether you, like, try to, you know, move forward and stuff, like, you still will feel that pain. And sometimes people make you feel guilty for feeling that pain. And that's like, one thing with the song. I'm like, you know, it's okay to feel that pain. It's okay to feel those emotions, to let them wash over you. Even if you're like, I'm trying to move on. I'm not trying to make them feel guilty anymore. No, no, it's not about them. It's about you. What do you need to heal? [00:21:55] Speaker A: Right, Right. And I thought again, I thought that video was beautifully shot. Do you tour and what. What other. What are the plans while you're. To grow your music, grow your audience base? [00:22:05] Speaker B: Yes. Well, right now we have an album called the Real coming out in August. [00:22:09] Speaker A: Nice. [00:22:10] Speaker B: Which I'm very excited for because my last one came out. What is it, three Years ago. So crazy. Yes. So excited because even my music and my songwriting has evolved and you know, I've changed and a lot's happened. So it's evolved with me as well. But I'm super excited about that as well as like I said, the word is that came out recently, which is my newest single. I'm having the short film come out very soon, which will be so fun because I started as an actress. So I'm very excited about that. And then my music video for New Life as well as my music life for RMD and for my song. And my song Walking the Line, which I filmed in Croatia, will be coming out. [00:22:46] Speaker A: Oh, that's wonderful. That's awesome. So you got the chance to hit with the family roots as well too. [00:22:51] Speaker B: Yes. I was so excited to showcase the island. I'm like, we ain't doing anything green screen. This is all real beautiful. [00:22:56] Speaker A: You know, I loved your album cover too, because when you talked about your shy, you talk about the music. Music is your expression and you're face to face on your album, facing each other. I was like, I cut. That was a deeper meaning. Like, that makes sense. I'm projecting myself into my music and, you know, that's an opportunity to give the version of myself that I'm not my. In my daily walks of life. Is that accurate? [00:23:17] Speaker B: Yes, absolutely. When I designed that cover, because I made that myself, I. I came up with every single album cover for the first releases, which is what don't you do? Right? Literally, I'm like, I am a jack of all trades, I guess you call it Wonderful. But yeah, when I designed that, it was really about, yeah, showing the two sides, the real. The real world versus, you know, the artist as well as like the hopeful side versus the realistic meeting where you are, which is like, you know, wasting my time. Songs like that. And then also like, you know, having hope, which is like moving forward, which is new life, reach my dreams and all that stuff. So it's like once you get past understanding where you are, you got to move forward and get that hope to get back up. [00:24:00] Speaker A: What do you. What advice do you have to upcoming people who make music who are trying to, you know, do I. Do I sign with the label? Who's going to hear me? You know, there's a lot of self doubt that can keep people from actually taking the steps that you've taken. I mean, I can relate on those lower level with doing this podcast. Right. Am I gonna look stupid? Am I going to get people who are going to want to listen to me, do I have compelling content? Am I going to grow and not be the same interviewer that I was from my first episode to what? It's not in my mid-50s of it. So what advice do you have for people who are, you know, trying to do what you're trying to do? [00:24:33] Speaker B: Well, I'm gonna get real honestly with me. I'm like, there have been times where I'm like, okay, which path should I take? I'm like, because everything becomes very businesslike. I mean, it still comes back to it's a business. Because I'm an independent artist. I know this more than most people are. Just like, you know, I just want to get into music. It's a lot of business. But the thing that I always come back to and the thing that's kept me grounded is I'm like, why am I doing this? I'm doing this to connect people. I'm doing this to help people. I'm doing this to build a community. I'm doing this to save someone. I'm doing this so someone feels understood, like, that is why I'm doing this. And whoever is supposed to join my journey, I'm very much a slow burn type of person. I'm like, you join and we build together. We are not going to. This is not like a oh, hit it and home run. I'm like, no, because that won't last. I don't want to hit one Hit wonder. I want to make music that makes you feel complete. Through my career. [00:25:21] Speaker A: Absolutely. And you know, the thing is about it was, you know, I think the beautiful thing about music is, at least for me personally, was it was like, if you like something, it doesn't matter what genre it is. You know, sometimes you can sit back and say, yes, I'm not gonna listen to acoustic pop in my car. Like, look at me, right? Like what I look like popping acoustic pop, right? But I'm like, I'm in my car. I don't give a damn. This looks, this is. I'm in the mood. I'm like, this girl can sing. And it wasn't. Sometimes you could put an artificial limitation on yourself because you're not supposed to listen to certain music, you're not supposed to like certain songs. And you're, you know, that's not supposed to be cool because you're only supposed to stay in this respective lane of what you're absorbing on your day to day trials. But I got to be honest with you, I think I'll be listening to some more acoustic pop going forward. Because I've really enjoyed your music. [00:26:09] Speaker B: Thank you. Yeah, I definitely. I agree 100%. That's even something I have to, like, remind myself. I'm like, you're not trying to follow the trends for what? I'm like, I don't need to be like them. They already exist. They're amazing artists. I'm like, right. I don't need to be their copycat. Like, I need to be me. And that is hard, especially with social media and so many artists and everything. Like, I 100% get. I'm like, you know, I'd be so much further if I made a song like that. Well, yeah, but it wouldn't be real. I'm like, I would lose the people who truly know me as an artist and see my vision and my music and feel it. Like, I would lose those people. I'm like, why would I do that even to myself? Because I would probably be miserable after, like, number two. I'd be like, this is popular. Let's make a second one. Okay, I'm done. I quit. I'm retiring. [00:26:51] Speaker A: I get it. I get it. And, you know, and I think, just briefly, how do you. Is there a difference between a commercial artist assigned to a label versus independent who gets to make decisions and stay true to their artistry? Are there differences between the two? [00:27:05] Speaker B: It depends on the label. The music industry has changed a lot, for sure. And now a label is more like, you build yourself as an artist, and then they come in and give you the support you need. They're not. They don't build artists anymore, which is honestly why I want a label when I'm older, because I would love to build artists again. I want to find people who are truly passionate and give them the platform and the resources and the tools to be able to compete with these huge artists. But right now, it's really. You got to build everything yourself, and then they'll give you the resources. [00:27:34] Speaker A: Okay, okay. Because you would hear, you know, they would have people cut hair. They would have people, you need to lose weight. [00:27:39] Speaker B: That's how it used to be, right? [00:27:41] Speaker A: And I would just read about it, right? You know, and I'd be like, man, you know that? And then you would hear people who ended up miserable because they're like, that's not. It's not who I am, you know, so it's good that you get a chance to build your own base and that for. For lack of a better term, this is who I am, and this is how it's going to be for me to be put out the best music possible state of my authentic self and my fan base. [00:28:01] Speaker B: Yes. And I think even now I think I've learned so much to my music and I'm glad that I started as an independent artist because I've learned all different avenues of this world and I'm really grateful because it's really helped me know myself and my artistry and everything and know what my career is like and from every different angle. But I would love to like work with people who also see my vision. So I'm not against it because of course I love to outreach. Like I want to meet people like in South Korea and China. I'm like, I gotta get over to the other side of the world. Exactly, of course. Like I would love for, you know, people to help me continue my journey all around the world and everything. So it's like I really just got to find the people who see what I'm doing and see my vision and my mission, everything and just want to help the world. [00:28:45] Speaker A: That's awesome. And you know, here's the thing is about it. You never know who's listening sometimes. Right. Like I figured out from this podcast, you know, in my small little corner of the earth, I'm like, somebody heard that, like I'm just a guy with just a set of headphones on, just asking questions. [00:28:59] Speaker B: That's how it feels. [00:29:00] Speaker A: You know what I mean? So where can people find you? They don't need me. But I always want to give, you know, the guests the opportunity to broadcast themselves. [00:29:08] Speaker B: Yes. So on YouTube as True Isina, which is T R U E I S T I N A and then trueisina official on Instagram, TikTok, I think Twitter X. Twitter's X now. Yeah, any platform. Spotify is True Isina Apple Music, anywhere you stream music. And yeah, my newest song is the word is, which was my newest single. And the music video came out on YouTube. [00:29:32] Speaker A: I'll be honest with you, I was bumping your stuff. I drove I, you know, to get a feel for you're listening. I have small children home and I needed to just get away so I could hear what you make. What you make. I gotta be honest with you, I'm totally impressed and I'm thoroughly. Your talent speaks for itself and I wish you nothing but continued success. [00:29:47] Speaker B: Thank you so much. Honestly, that means a lot. [00:29:50] Speaker A: It really, you know. Of course, of course. And I'm honored that you carved out a time out of your busy schedule. If there's a bad song made about the guy who you interviewed, you, I'll know who the top. You know what I mean? [00:30:00] Speaker B: Sounds general enough. You like you have a inkling, but you won't know. [00:30:04] Speaker A: Yeah, like it's gonna be one of those subtle things. I'm like, what? Yeah, maybe I just. Maybe I had that one coming. Sure. I gotta be honest with you. True Estini, I would thank you so much for your time. Wish you wonderful success and everybody on the Tron podcast, support her music, please. [00:30:20] Speaker B: Thank you so much for having me. It's been so much fun. [00:30:22] Speaker A: It's been awesome. It's been a pleasure. Thank you. [00:30:24] Speaker B: Thank you, Sam.